Opinions on ~2000 Jaguar S-type (the years)

[Oro_O]

A teenager will start driving next fall. One option is to hand-off a higher-mileage but very nicely running/looking '02 Lexus ES, and get one of these for his mom to drive. A really gorgeous, 95k mile one is available locally and ones like that pop up around here often (Seattle Eastside - a used car heaven).

I love jaguar styling, have rented a few times, but never owned one. I know the Ford years are generally considered pretty good I believe.

This car is based on a Ford/Lincoln body, has a Duratec V6, and the Ford 5R55N transmission. I am thinking that this should be pretty reliable and not a bear to maintain. However, I am not that intimately knowledgeable of all things Ford, though I have a positive opinion. A quick internet search seems to bear that out. Is there any Achille's heel with these? I know all cars and drivetrains have little quirks to address; wondering about big issues are reasons to steer her away (she likes the design a lot, and I can't argue with that; I agree).

 

[charbaby]

You'll get lots of opinions on this. Or just two.
1) Get it or 2) don't!

I say get it but, try not to pay a lot for it in case you have to unload it.

Best of luck,

CB

 

[Gasbuggy]

I always loved the S type R.

My friend's wife owns one with the 4.0 V8 and it hasn't been a problem for them after several years, it doesn't get driven much though. The sister car is the Lincoln LS and many LS owners learned the hard way just how unreliable of a car ford can build. While that Jag might be cheap to maintain and reliable at its core, it's everything else that will have you banging your head against the wall.

 

[Andrew1972]

....

 

[MCompact]

Cue all of the "Expert" opinions...

 

[Dino01]

Lol I've never seen the Seattle area or eastside called a used car heaven, if anything it's the opposite. Compared to the rest of the country I've found new and especially used cars in Seattle WAAAY more expensive and overpriced than elsewhere, everyone thinks their 2004 Accord is specail and the only one available in the universe

 

[wag123]

A 19 year old Jaguar as a daily driver? IMO, RUN!!!
Do you want to purchase a reliable car for her or do you want to make a fashion statement? After owning the Lexus, IMO you will be very disappointed. If you do purchase one, make sure that you have a good roadside assistance policy that includes towing. Also, make sure that there is an trustworthy expert Jaguar mechanic located near where you live before you buy one.

 

[BrocLuno]

My wife has a 97 XJ and it's had a few issues in the nearly 190K she has on it. But she loves it and does not want another anything. So you'll have some maintenance things. But that is modest mileage. Find a good Indy shop for Jags and have fun

 

[maxdustington]

Rarely seen on the road anymore = they suck.

 

[Wylie6G72]

Even the "Ford-era" Jags are prone to issues and very expensive to maintain. However, because the S-type shared it's platform with the Lincoln LS, it should be better than most, cost-wise. Try fixing or replacing ANYTHING on an XK or XJ. That'll wake you up to old luxury marque ownership.

 

[MCompact]

And as predicted...

 

[Gasbuggy]

Originally Posted by MCompact
And as predicted...



Not much more he needs to know. S Type is a redecorated Lincoln LS, Lincoln LS has a well-established list of problems he can read into. S Type issues will be harder to get a grip on because the owners aren't really forum level people.

 

[SteveSRT8]

OMG, I came so close to buying a Lincoln LS V8 back in 05 while car shopping. So glad the guy was stuck at a price and wouldn't move, I liked the car.

Whew!

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted by SteveSRT8
OMG, I came so close to buying a Lincoln LS V8 back in 05 while car shopping. So glad the guy was stuck at a price and wouldn't move, I liked the car.

Whew!


The LS was yet another example of Lincoln's pathetic attempts to attract buyers of European sport/luxury sedans. As with the Merkur fiasco, the LS was introduced with much hype and fanfare and then the car was essentially abandoned/ignored. Lincoln dealers, who weren't fond of dealing with customers who had all their own teeth and didn't wear plaid pants with white belts and matching shoes, stuck the cars in a corner and pushed Navigators and Town Cars.

 

[Win]

Originally Posted by MCompact
And as predicted...



Yep,

I was going to comment, but it's just not worth the time or energy.